PHOTOS: Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Over 300 people were killed when dozens of deadly tornadoes, triggered by the storms of near-epic proportions wiped out entire towns across six southern American states, officials said on Friday.

In Alabama alone the toll has reached 204, with more than 1,700 injured. President Barack Obama and the First Lady were to travel to the worst-hit state today for a first-hand look at a still unfolding human tragedy.

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Long before the death toll mushroomed, governors in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia had declared states of emergency within their borders. Virginia also followed suit.

US President Barack Obama announced that he had approved Bentley's request for emergency federal assistance, including search and rescue support.

"While we may not know the extent of the damage for days, we will continue to monitor these severe storms across the country and stand ready to continue to help the people of Alabama and all citizens affected by these storms," Obama said in a statement.

Image: Ashla Sullivan looks through her belongings in the living room of her destroyed house in the aftermath of deadly tornadoes in TuscaloosaPhotographs: Lee Celano/Reuters

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Said to be one of the deadliest tornado day in the US since 310 people lost their lives on April 3, 1974; the natural calamity has killed more than 150 people in the worst hit Alabama, besides those in the other States of Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas and Tennessee.

"In a matter of hours, these deadly tornadoes ... took mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbors, even entire communities," Obama said.

Image: Ashla Sullivan throws out debris from her destroyed house as her husband, Adam Sullivan, talks on the phonePhotographs: Lee Celano/Reuters

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Greg Carbin, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service, told ABC news that the area can expect mild weather for the next few days but he could not predict whether more killer tornadoes were on their way.

"May is usually the most active tornado month," Carbin said, adding "Will it maintain the activity of April? We just cannot say."

Image: An aerial view shows extensive damage to homes and businesses in the path of tornadoes in TuscaloosaPhotographs: Marvin Gentry/Reuters

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Tornado watches were issued into Thursday night along nearly the entire East Coast -- from Georgia to the Boston area -- a designation that carries the possibility of severe storms and winds in excess of 100 mph.

Eric Hamilton, 40, lived in a poor area of Tuscaloosa called Alberta City, which residents now describe as "gone." He wiped tears off his cheeks.

"I've never seen so many bodies," he told Seattle Times, adding, "Babies, women. So many bodies."

Image: The aftermath of overnight tornadoes show destroyed homes and vehicles in Pratt City, a suburb of Birmingham, AlabamaPhotographs: Marvin Gentry/Reuters

Deadly tornadoes kill over 300 in US

Meteorologists are on the ground examining the damage to try to get a precise handle on the number of distinct tornadoes and their intensity.

Damage was made worse by earlier storms, which left the ground so soaked that, instead of winds just snapping trees and branches, they uprooted entire trees and tossed them onto power lines, said Michael Sznajderman, a spokesman for Alabama Power Co.